I found "Lightfall" by Ed Crocker to be a captivating entry into the realm of epic fantasy, weaving a rich tapestry of mystery, supernatural politics, and personal vendettas. This novel introduced me to a meticulously crafted world where vampires, werewolves, and mages vie for dominance, their alliances and conflicts driving a complex narrative of power and survival.

I was impressed by Crocker's storytelling, which shines through multiple points of view, offering me a multifaceted perspective on the unfolding drama. Among these, Sam stood out as a compelling protagonist. Her journey from a bookish, indentured vampire servant to a key player in the story's twists was surprising and satisfying. Sam's burning desire for vengeance and freedom added a personal stake to the larger conflict, making her story particularly engaging for me.

The antagonist of "Lightfall" is, in my opinion, refreshingly and unabashedly evil, presenting a formidable challenge that left other characters feeling genuinely helpless. I felt this clear-cut villainy provided a stark contrast to the bonds formed among the diverse cast of characters, highlighting themes of found family and unity in the face of oppression.

I was particularly impressed by Crocker's world-building, which I consider a standout feature, rich with history and unique interpretations of familiar supernatural creatures. The political intrigue and power struggles added depth to the setting, creating a vivid backdrop for the murder mystery at the heart of the plot.

In my view, "Lightfall" marks a strong start to what promises to be an epic fantasy series. Its blend of mystery, supernatural elements, and character-driven narratives left me eagerly anticipating the next installment and the further unfolding of this expansive, magical world.

Thank you, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley, for my free book for review.

Lightfall is different from the usual novel about supernatural immortal beings - werewolves, vampires, and sorcerers - there are no humans in the world of Lightfall, although there are rumors of mortals existing at some point in the past, before the Great Awakening, a never-explained occurrence that seems to have been the onset of intelligence in the various supernatural beings. Vampires in Lightfall drink blood from a variety of animals, but there is no mention, at any point, of drinking the blood of other vampires. In this caste-driven society, the rarer and more difficult to obtain types of blood are reserved for the wealthy and upper class, which provide a variety of abilities, while the lower classes must subsist on the blood of common animals such as cows. They do drink the blood of werewolves, which give them greater capabilities than any other type of blood available; werewolves are the only self-aware blood source mentioned.

The novel centers around Sam, a young female vampire who serves as a maid in the palace of the First Lord, the ruler of the city where all vampires live. Sam is a lively and intelligent young vampire, limited by her circumstances as the only survivor of a poor family of low caste, who is trying to raise her station - or at least her prospects - by reading every book she can access in the palace library, which she sneaks into clandestinely. This has been her life for a decade - hard, monotonous, unfulfilling, but still better than most Worn vampires (the lowest caste) can hope for. Then one day, she is sent to clean the room of the First Lord's recently deceased son, and with what she discovers, everything changes. Over the course of the story, Sam is thrown into existing plots to both maintain and change the status quo of her society. This is book one of a trilogy, and I look forward to book 2.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Magicless and Genre-Confused Story

“A novel of vampires, werewolves and sorcerers… debut epic fantasy by Ed Crocker…” a UK-based freelance editor, who has worked for the Sunday Times, and sci-fi publications. “For centuries, vampires freely roamed the land until the Grays came out of nowhere, wiping out half the population in a night.” The mystery of what this sentence is trying to say is solved in the opening page (thankfully). It explains that these categories of supernatural beings formed cities of their own, after the Great Intelligence gave them “self-awareness”. Only at Lightfall were the species mixing. The “Grays” are seemingly not immortals, like the others, and their name comes from their “gray cloaks that hide their features”. These Grays stage a war that near-exterminates all other species, forcing them to flee into smaller enclaves. This intro at least orients readers, instead of confusing them, so that’s a good start.
“The survivors fled to the last vampire city of First Light, where the rules are simple. If you’re poor, you drink weak blood. If you’re nobility, you get the good stuff.” This is the trope of setting the poor and rich as enemies in a struggle with a clear “villain”. “And you can never, ever leave.” Setting the no-leaving rule is necessary in many fantasy narratives because it clarifies why somebody might stay at a school, or city where they are in extreme danger of death: the characters must stay for there to be a story, and they have to keep facing more and more dangerous challenges, while refusing to just leave to immediately solve all their problems.
“Palace maid Sam has had enough of these rules, and she’s definitely had enough of cleaning the bedpans of the lords who enforce them. When the son of the city’s ruler is murdered and she finds the only clue to his death, she seizes the chance to blackmail her way into a better class and better blood. She falls in with the Leeches, a group of rebel maids who rein in the worst of the Lords.” It is a pretty ridiculous idea that all the rebels in this society are specifically “maids”. “…Soon she’s in league with a sorcerer whose deductive skills make up for his lack of magic, a deadly werewolf assassin and a countess who knows a city’s worth of secrets.” It’s confusing why this vampire city has the other (sorcerer and werewolf) species…
“There’s just one problem. What began as a murder investigation has uncovered a vast conspiracy by the ruling elite, and now Sam must find the truth before she becomes another victim.” This switches the narrative from being a rebellion story, to being a murder-mystery. These genres do not easily overlap, as a rebel would be actively trying to kill their enemies, while a detective would be trying to solve whodunnit on somebody else’s murder… Early mentions of the murder note that because an aristocrat has been killed, his brother is considering reacting by launching a premature war on the Grays in retaliation. This kind of ties the threat of war to this murder-mystery, but not the rebellion. “…If she can avoid getting murdered, she might just live forever.”
The big problem with this novel is the relative emptiness in its descriptions. There is a lot of sighing and wailing, but few reasons given about deeper causes, beyond somebody being killed being sad. If there are descriptions they are of wealth. Most scenes that involve magic are too mundane, like when a bunch of vampires drink different types of animal blood casually. An average empty sentence here is: “Well, it seems that we might have a common cause.” They go back-and-forth in a discussion without moving the narrative forward. This is not an enjoyable read.
—Pennsylvania Literary Journal, Fall 2024: https://anaphoraliterary.com/journals/plj/plj-excerpts/book-reviews-fall-2024

Thank you Netgalley for giving me this book to read as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book has werewolves, vampires, magic and an interesting system to supply the vampires with blood. The vampires and werewolves in the town of Nightfall have a strained relationship one is not to cross into the other's territory because of an incident that happened years past. They do not prey on humans which I liked because most books are centered around humans when it comes to werewolves and vampires. There is a more interesting relationship among the two immortal groups. There is going to be a book two and cannot wait to see where this story goes because there were twists and turns.
The worldbuilding took some time but was needed to understand the history of why things occur and the consequences. There are some same sex exchanges and bi-sex exchanges.

DNF at 15%

Unfortunately, this book is very not for me, and I'm bummed about it. I was very intrigued by the premise here - in a world without humans, the death of a vampire lord's son leads to the unraveling of a major conspiracy - but ultimately I think this book needed more development and editing.

My issues with this book primarily center on the writing, the characters, and the worldbuilding.

The writing is probably the piece of this book that I struggled with the most. I think it's aiming for descriptive, but it's achieving overcomplicated and clunky. No one here speaks like a normal person, and there are constantly ellipsis pauses right before the last word of a piece of dialogue, as if for dramatic effect, but these pauses are never used in an instance where dramatic effect is needed. For example, one character asks "How are the guards? Where they injured?" and when informed that the guards are fine, he replies "Well, thank goodness for ... that." Similarly, a character regularly says "If my theory is ... correct." These pauses are distracting rather than emphatic. There are also a lot of strange descriptions, as when someone's voice "dripped of his breeding." Overall, I think this just needed a stronger round of editing.

Moving on to the characters, I felt that most of them were unpleasant, which I actually usually don't mind, but it was clear that I was supposed to find them cool. Further, those same "cool" characters don't have compelling reasons to be involved in the mystery plot.

At the point that I read up to, we're following three characters: First Lord Azzuri, the victim's father (and likely a villain); Sam, a servant in First Lord Azzuri's palace who longs to escape and make a new life in a higher class so she can have access to better blood; and Sage Bailey, a cult leader obsessed with finding evidence that humans were real and not just a myth. Sam and Sage are both written as though they're supposed to be cool and smart, but both are incredibly condescending to their so-called friends, a feature that seems to be tied into both of their perceptions of their own knowledge. Sage in particular reads as though he's just BBC Sherlock with the serial number rubbed off. He's a ye olde fantasy detective who makes deductions at people and is clearly a little too into his own abilities.

Sam and Sage also lack compelling reasons to be investigating the youngest Azzuri's death. Sam wants to leave the palace and start a new life, but begins investigating when she happens upon a piece of paper suggesting that the victim was involved in some kind of investigation of his own. It's unclear how looking into his death provides her any advantage in achieving her own goals. Sage knew the youngest Azzuri, at least, but his reasons for looking into the death are completely self-serving and based on a wild leap of logic. He has a lot to lose by investigating.

The only character with a compelling reason to investigate (so far) is First Lord Azzuri, and it seems as though he's being set up to be a villain. I think he's by far the most interesting character, and I think the book would be more successful if he was the primary POV.

Finally, the worldbuilding feels disjointed. There are three immortal races, and it's believable to me that they would have different cultures. However, the differences in culture _within_ groups felt gimmicky and overcomplicated. For example, the different classes of vampires all have different naming conventions, with the lowest class having normal names like Sam and Beth and the middle class having descriptor names (Tenfold and Keepsake, for two). In the highest class, however, there appear to be different groups, and the reasoning is not clear. The one group we see most are the Red-Blue nobles, called such because their names are literally a word for red + a word for blue. Like First Lord Vermillion Azzuri. This led me to assume that the other groups of nobles might have names of other colors, but that does not seem to be the case.

Additionally, a significant portion of the worldbuilding here is that the world is populated only with immortal races. That said, they all treat time (and think about time) as a mortal would. They count in decades and act as though a city lost 150 years ago is ancient history, even though most of them were alive when that city was lost. The timeframes provided in the book don't work with the timescales you would expect of immortal characters.

Despite my issues with this book, I think that other people will probably love this. If you want a book that you can turn off your brain and enjoy, this may be for you. It may also be for you if you like Ead from The Priory of the Orange Tree or Poppy from From Blood and Ash. I think Sam is reminiscent of these characters. If you loved BBC Sherlock, you may like Sage. I do hope this book finds its audience, but that audience is definitely not me.

DNF at 20%
I really liked the opening which explained the world and history, but after that I couldn’t get into this at all. There’s writing seemed fine and easy enough to read, so it can certainly be more of a “me” issue.

Note: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley & St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

I really anticipated loving this - and the reasons I didn't are truthfully a 'me' problem. The world building was clear and simple enough to figure out, but I expected a little bit more. I will say though, it's a great entry into fantasy for those just wanting to dip their toes in.

I loved the overall concept of a world where humans don't exist - I don't think I've ever seen that done before! I liked the differing levels of power certain blood sources give you - and what access you had to those blood sources depending on what class you were a part of. I really wanted this to be darker (a 'me' problem) and the pacing was ultimately too slow for me to fully embrace it.

I will still recommend this to people who are maybe just getting into fantasy and who love vampires as much as I do!

This world is that if vampires, werewolves, and sorcerers. Each have secrets they are hiding from each other while they navigate a delicate balance of a treaty made after the greatest vampire city fell to the Greys. Nobody knows what the Greys are or what they want, but everyone is afraid of them.
Sam is a poor vampire working as a maid in the castle of First Lord Azurri. The vampires survive off of magicked animal blood with different characteristics and strengths, with the strongest blood being Werewolf blood. Sage Bailey and Jacob are sorcerers from the Cult of Humanis, who study the ancient human artifacts of the extinct race. Raven is the princess of the werewolves and a hunter of the werewolves who escape the vampire jails. None of them have anything in common until they all come together to solve the mystery of the death of First Lord Azurri’s youngest son.

This book is like nothing else I have read and I LOVED it. The characters are so well-written and the twists and turns of the story had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. This is high fantasy done so right!

Thank you NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press for this ARC!

I think that this book was confusing a bit but I liked the world building in it. I did like this book and enjoyed the vampires along with the gray rebels and the fantasy world.

very interesitng fantasy with a very fun way of doing the classic vampire/werewolf schtick. 4 star.s tysm for the arc would recommend.

"Lightfall" by Ed Crocker presents an ambitious concept, blending science fiction with emotional depth and intrigue. The world-building is impressive, offering a unique setting filled with interesting lore and complex systems. The characters, while relatable, sometimes feel underdeveloped, and the plot can be predictable in parts. The pacing varies, with some sections feeling slow, while others rush through important developments. Despite these issues, the novel shines in its exploration of themes like hope and survival. Overall, it’s an engaging read for fans of the genre, though it could benefit from tighter storytelling and more character exploration to reach its full potential.

Overall enjoyment:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Prose: easy to read
Pacing (1=slow 5=fast): 3
Scary (1=cozy 5=splatter): not
Gore: mild
Spice: none
Character Development:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Atmosphere:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mini Review: Unique original take on a hierarchical structured vampire society, Shifters, Sorcerers, multiple povs, mysterious enemies, a death investigation, simple fantasy vocabulary, cozy but still some violence, lgbtq+ main & side characters

"The surviving immortals flee to their homelands in the corners of the continent, leaving the Centerlands to the Grays. The sorcerers stay in the Desertlands, the wolves in the eastern forests , and the vampires remain north in the first— now the only— vampire city. A century passes. Our . . . .tale . . . or my tale, as you will eventually see, begins. I have told you the what. The why will take a little longer."

Full Review: Tell me the tale Ed Crocker! That prologue was concise but informative and sets up the story nicely. This book has a cinematic quality that I can see easily being produced into a film. 'Lightfall' is a cross between Underworld and Dune mixed with Clue. You wouldn't think all those would work together but unbelievably, Ed Crocker has managed to make a set of immortal characters that are also relatable. The humor added a hint of whimsey that gave it a cozy atmosphere while still having violence. So, cozy feeling but not cozy.

The Cult of Humanis (Sorcerers) is more silly to me than revolutionary but I think that was the intention. Jacob and Sage's interactions are the best. They were absolutely hilarious. The Vampire lords were not as vicious as I'd hoped and I didn't understand them being homophobic. Their society is based on blood afterall and blood is the same in everyone. Wolfkind were as you'd expect. Raven Ansbach is my favorite character. The Wolf pov chapters are where a very mild amount of gore comes into play. The scenes are telegraphed and easily skipped for anyone who is sensitive. If you have a strong stomach, are a splatterpunk or horror fan this book will be a little boring for you gore wise.

The world building and terminology are simple to figure out, maybe a bit too simple honestly but it was adequate and not overly complicated. When you hear epic fantasy you expect huge worlds with complex vocabulary. This will be a hit with readers who prefer a more basic modern fantasy. Being a horror and dark fantasy fan, this storyline wasn't as dark as I wanted but I still liked it. I definitely wouldn't compare it to EOTV, as the blurb did, but I will still be looking forward to further books in this series.

To my mind this book would be made much stronger by ditching the first person narrative. I'm writing this review at about 30% because I think I will only read to the end of the chapter and then move on to something else. The story is interesting enough but slow, and the mystery of the Greys is too drawn out. The elder son Rufous is overdrawn and stereotyped. Not much here of interest.

4.5 Stars rounded down.

I came down a half-star for several reasons---sometimes the writing was repetitious, there were a lot of characters to keep straight, and, well, those are the only things I didn't really like. There were even times that I was going to give up and make it a DNF. But I kept going, and I am so glad I did. I cannot wait for the next book to come out.

This book has an interesting take on the vampire/werewolf genre since there are no humans in this world. The Vampires' needed blood sources from animals, and the larger and more vicious the animal, the more 'kick' the blood gives the vampires: that and a little magic from the sorcerers help with the 'kick.'

This is the story of our fair Samantha, a maid (unwillingly and looking for something better)in the First Lords mansion, and her cohorts, though they don't come into play till a little bit into the story. There has been a death (murder), and Samantha seems to feel like she has to solve the mystery behind it. But no, this isn't the only mystery in this novel- many mysteries are rolled into one.

Intrigue, lying, mysteries, murders, action, and adventure pepper this novel with a fine spice.

I'm looking forward to the next book and will probably be putting this on my comfort reads shelf!

* ARC was supplied by the publisher Macmillan/ St. Martin's Press, the author, and NetGalley.

A story with a different spin on vampires and werewolves. The unique worldbuilding and twist on the supernatural is what kept me engaged and curious. Overall, I found the first book of The Everlands intriguing and most likely will read book two.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley #Lightfall

WOW OH WOW! What a stellar debut by Mr. Ed Crocker. If you're like me and tired of the same recycled fantasy stories hitting the shelves lately, I highly encourage you to pick up Lightfall. This was so imaginative and refreshing, putting a unique spin on many of the tried and true supernatural characters we're used to.

I'm grateful to a new friend Stacey who I saw recommend this book in a fantasy group online, her high praises were a definite reason for me immediately requesting this ARC and so graciously being approved.

At it's core this is a fantasy murder mystery. We spend the majority of the book trying to solve the murder of a Lord's son, all while our characters come together like a super cool version of the Scooby Gang.

There was one particular scene near the end of the book that legitimately blew my mind.

I loved how there were very subtle hints of a few romances and the banters between the characters was top tier.

Trust me when I say that the end leaves you eager for more!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Ed Crocker for a copy of this ARC. All opinions in this review are my own.

DNF at 25%.

The plot was very interesting and I am a sucker for a good vampire story (and no sucker was not used on purpose here), but I felt the pacing was too slow and I could not get into the book for the life of me.

While this is a me thing, this book just didn’t hit the way I wanted it too. I really enjoyed the concept and the dynamics of the werewolves and vampires I just really struggled getting into this book. I enjoyed the mystery aspect and the character dynamics.

This book explores original concepts of what vampires and werewolves are and what immortal lives and dynamics would look like. The world-building is wonderful, and the plot is intriguing. The class system within the vampire community is also interesting and a new take on vampires. Our main character Sam is likeable right away within her lower class. All of the characters are just done extremely well. Crocker overall wrote an excellent immortal mystery with no humans!

In the vampire city of First Light, palace maid Sam is fed up with the strict social hierarchy. When she finds a clue to a murder, she blackmails her way into a better life and joins a group of rebels. Together, they uncover a conspiracy among the elite, and Sam must navigate this danger to survive and possibly gain immortality.

This book hooked me from the very first sentence of the prologue. As an avid fantasy reader, I found its unique twist—no humans—refreshing. Despite the absence of humans, the story is rich with politics and secrets. The world-building is excellent, and the characters are even better. I loved the dual POV, which provided different angles of the story.

The fierce female characters are a major highlight, especially Sam's perspective. Every character plays a vital role, and the sarcasm sprinkled throughout is fantastic. The first book answers many questions but ends on a cliffhanger, leaving me eagerly awaiting book two.

Highly recommend this one for the fantasy lovers out there! Thank you St. Martin's Press, Net Galley, and Ed Crocker for a chance to read this eARC. All thoughts are my own.